Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-07

eleven. he arose, crossed over to a
window, and stood looking out into
the sem-darkness of the night.
Great heavensr' he calculated
suddenly. "Can that be woman?"
lie opened the window and leaned
far out, watching the, figure as it slow
ly advanced up the walk Though APP
parently young, the woman walked
feebly, as one very weak from illness
or fatigue
Moved by compassion, DR.. Dwire
fastened below to offer assistance. He
was just in time to catch the woman
ere she sank to the ground. She bore
an infant in her arms.
Poor thing! poor thing" he muir
INJURED compassionately, as he bent
over her.
At this instant the light rested on
the wanderers pallid face. Oh, what
cry burst from DR. Dwire
"Lydia My Godr'
For an instant he gazed upon the
well remembered face care worn. but
pretty still. too stunned TO move or
speak, his brain in n whirl. But her
low moaning recalled him to the inn
mediate necessities of the case, and he
ran hastily into the house. Stopping
at the door of the housekeeper's rooms,
he called loudly
s.Rottvf pott,-i ora yn,, o9'
"Be that you. Mr.. Dorien?"
YES. Betty. There is woman ly-
ing i'll, insensiblc, in the grounds. and
l want your aid"
"All right, sir; / Il be wi We direct
ly."
Speedily the old housekeeper made
her appearance and DR.. Dwire led her
to the place where Lydia yet lay.
II will carry her, Betty" he said,
hurriedly, land you must carry that"
pointing to the infant as he spoke.
lord love ye, yes. Mr.. Dorien. Av,
and there be child, too. Poor mte!"
Lifting the inanimate form in his
strong arms, DR.. Dwire followed old
Betty until they reached his own
bright study, where he placed his bur-
den on lounge. And all the time he
kept wondering what old Betty would
do when sh G learned who this woman
was.
The old housekeeper laid the babe
beside its mother. without looking at
either. and FASTENED away TO prepare a
bedroom and light fire. She soon
returned.
"There'll be a nice fire in minute,
Mr.. Dorien." she remarked, entering.
"And now I'll make the baby comforta-
ble. How's the poor lady ?"
She bent and looked at the woman's
face.
why. Master Dorien, it's that gal"
she exclaimed, turning almost fiercely
upon him.
Eyes, it's Lydia Lcyton," he answer
What You knew it. and brought
her here, beneath this roof p
where else, at this hour, could l
have brought her?'
"Ye ght have left her where ye
found her. outside It's the fittest
place for the likes of her"
Stop. Have you no charity, wom-
an ?" said her master, sternly.
For them as deserves it." she re-
torted, doggedly. Look. Mr.. Dorien,
l thought as much" pointing at tho
white hands. There's no ring and yet
the child's sleeping at her side ~
"And for that reason. Betty. she
needs our sorrowing compassion.
Think OF what she was-a bright, pretty.
innocent girl. See what she ia wan
derer, without a home, on such night.
If she deceived me, she has not yet
been more cruelty deceived My good
Betty. harshness to anyone in distress
is not in your nature. Let us forget
everything except that this poor crea-
turc needs our help"
"Mr. Dorien. vowed never TO for
give ucI, DUj Us sue utIt, anu rs you
wish it, I'll try to forget. and do what !
can for her."
Betty was as good as her word, and
spent the night with the unhappy
Lydia. In the early dawn she came
again into the study.
We'll" she sad slowly, IL fancy
she's asleep, now. but what's the
matter with her | can't make out. She
jest now looked up, and thought she
must have known me; but she laughed
in my face, and then jbbered some
thing without a bit Of sense to il"
Il fancy that is dclrum," remarked
DR.. Dwire, gravely. IL will go to her.
How is the child?"
"It's all right, sir. IL see to it, DR..
Dorien. 1t will have enough to suffer
without being made answerable for the
sins OF its parents.
The baby face and tiny, waxen
fingers had already taken firm hold up
nm OLD Rattv's avtnpathatic hsart